God does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart.

~ from 1 Samuel, the story of the anointing of David, the smallest of Jesse’s sons

The poor, the hungry, the peacemakers, those who mourn, and those who are persecuted – whom Jesus blesses in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12, Luke 6:20-23) – are like the seeds in good soil. They need not live their lives defensively protecting their possessions, which moth and rust corrupt. Rather, they can live by self-propagation, which suggests Gandhi’s saying that there is enough for our needs, but not for our greed. The “enough” is the self-propagation of all we need in God’s Empire, where all have enough for life.

~ from The Art of Parables:
Reinterpreting the Teaching Stories of Jesus in Word & Sculpture by Charles McCollough (p. 151)

In the story of the anointing of David by Samuel, the theme of seeing is emphasized several times. The Hebrew word ra’a can mean simply “to see,” but it can also be used in the more specialized way to mean “to provide,” and we find both meanings at play in this text.

Just as God teaches Samuel the value of things not immediately apparent, Paul teaches us in 2 Corinthians to walk by faith, not by sight. Similarly, in the parable of the mustard seed in Mark, Jesus teaches us to trust in God who grows God’s realm often in mysterious and invisible ways. Psalm 20 affirms our faith and trust in a God who responds to our call.

In Mark 3:20-35, Jesus challenges assumptions of how we are to relate to one another and to God, teaching that it is God who is ultimately at the head of all of our relationships.

How do these scriptures and parables speak to you today? How do they offer you hope?

• Access Spirit Sightings for connections between current events and the focus passage.
• “A Mustard Seed Story: The West Side Campaign Against Hunger” (Adult, p. 90)
• “A Daily Examen” (Ages 15-18, p. 20) resource sheet on practicing personal discernment

• Digging Deeper: “Saul and Samuel” (Adult and Ages 15-18) introduces the word “Midrash,” a Hebrew word meaning “to go in search of” or “to inquire” as a way of engaging the imagination when interpreting the Bible and in particular the story of the anointing of David. 
• Option: use the paraphrase “God Chooses a Child” (p. 139) based on 1 Samuel 15:34–16:13 OR “God’s Realm” (p. 141) based on Mark 4:26-34 from the Lectionary Story Bible, Year B; available as mp3 and projectable art downloads

Some of the many options for exploring the story of David and Samuel:

• Ages 3-5: making blessing bags or heart message
• Ages 6-8: word search or making medallions or blessing bags
• Ages 9-11: making prayer books or people mural
• Multiage: making blessing bags, prayer books, self-portrait and/or art reflection
• Ages 12-14: drama, art poster engagement, personal reflection, collage, and/or mural
• Ages 15-18: art posters, collage, personal reflection (examen), and/or poetry journal
• Adult: contemporary story, art reflection, discernment, and/or poetry journal

• Poster Beggars Fire: Look at the poster and imagine that these are David’s brothers. What questions might they have? What might they want to say to David? Then look at the poster King David and imagine that it is many years later. David has been king for a long time and is looking back, remembering the day he was anointed. What might David miss about his old life as a shepherd? What might be the challenges of being a king? Read more about these posters in “About the Art.”
• For personal reflection practice, use a recording of meditative music such as “Adagio” (#29). Suggested opening and closing music: “May You Find Peace” (#19) and “Teach Me Wisdom” (#24) on the Seasons Volume 7 Music CD, or available as mp3 downloads.

June 24: “In Pursuit of Justice”

(Focus: 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 3-49)

The story of David and Goliath is so well know it is sometimes difficult to hear it afresh. But it is more than the story of God siding with the underdog. In fact, this is only the most dramatic of the times God has helped David overcome the odds. Indeed, David’s faith gives him courage to face many daunting situations and live his life to the fullest. How and when does God inspire you to act courageously?

For SeasonsFUSION (which inspires worship in a setting for all ages) see the SeasonsFUSION blog and sign up to receive the SeasonsFUSION tip of the week.